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MUMBAI:
Animax Awards, the Animax Pan script writing competition received
over three thousand entries this year, from the seven participating
countries. It is the first time that India participated in
the competition. 273 entries came from here.
Originating
five years ago in Japan, Animax Awards is a script-writing
competition organised by Animax Japan to discover talented
people who can make their mark in the animation industry through
their writing and/or illustration skills. The winner will
be announced in August.
The
popularity of anime has transcended beyond Japan, and Animax
Asia is the authority and home of animation featuring the
world's best anime. This year, the theme for the Animax Awards
was A Story I Wish to be Animated. 1,275 entries were
received from Japan. 1,994 entries came from the rest of Asia.
The
channel says that a majority of the entries received this
year from India encompass a broad range of genres from futuristic
cyber-punk to light-hearted whimsicality and from character
based romance and drama.. A significant portion of the entries
have been sent in by youth between the ages of 15-24.
Furthermore,
the maiden inclusion of comic and novel scripts to the traditional
script format as eligible entry formats in the competition,
has offered aspiring animators the opportunity to showcase
their talent in the styles that best communicate their ideas.
The entries encompassed very detailed efforts to illustrate
the novel/comic format.
The
entries from the seven regions in Asia – Japan, Korea,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Philippines and South East Asia
(Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand), are currently
being screened by an eminent expert panel of judges from each
country. The top entry from each region will then enter into
the Grand Finals to compete for the top prize in August 2007.
These
entries will then be judged by creative professionals from
Japan, including the renowned sci-fi and adventure writer
Baku Yumemakura. Besides the cash prize of $18,000 the winner
will also get his or her script developed into an animation
piece by top Japanese animation studio, A-1 Pictures of Aniplex,
and broadcast across Asia on Animax.
The
Indian winner and two runners up will receive prizes –
electronics, cash prizes, DVDs, posters and limited edition
bags – and a chance to have their script converted to
a comic book for India.
Animax
India business head Sunder Aaron says, "I am really happy
with the response we have received from India. The quality
of entries we have received was extremely good, with fully
developed and illustrated scripts.
"The
contestants have displayed total interest and dedication to
their work. The success of this unique initiative has paved
the way for Animax for many similar future projects that would
give the Indian youth a platform to showcase their talent."
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